Luis Arroyo, Former Yankees Pitcher, Dies at Age 88

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacekFeatured ColumnistJanuary 14, 2016

FILE- In this June 23, 2013, file photo, former New York Yankees relief pitcher and scout Luis Arroyo acknowledges the crowd as he is introduced to fans before the Yankees 67th annual Old Timers Day baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Yankees said Arroyo's daughter, Milagros, told the team Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, that Arroyo had died earlier in the day in Puerto Rico. He was 88. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Former New York Yankees pitcher Luis Arroyo passed away Wednesday at the age of 88 in his home country of Puerto Rico.

According to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com), the pitcher’s daughter said he was diagnosed with cancer in December and died Wednesday. Arroyo was the first Puerto Rican-born player to play for the Yankees, and the team offered its condolences on Twitter:

New York Yankees @Yankees
The Yankees mourn the passing of former reliever Luis Arroyo. https://t.co/4uQpUOvqJY

Arroyo pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1955, the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1956-57, the Cincinnati Reds in 1959 and the Yankees from 1960-63. He was an All-Star in his rookie season in St. Louis, but his best year in the majors came in 1961 when he helped the Bronx Bombers win the World Series.

He finished with a 15-5 record, 2.19 ERA and major league-best 29 saves that season and even earned a victory in the Fall Classic over Cincinnati. He made his second and final All-Star team in 1961 as well.

He finished with a 40-32 record, 45 saves and 3.93 ERA throughout his eight career seasons.

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